Detachable plug



Nov. 14, 1944.

C. S. STEBBINS DETACHABLE PLUG Filed Dec. 24, 1942 'Jzi v Patented Nov. 14, 1944 DETACHABLE PLUG Charles S. Stebbins, Akron, Ohio,assignor to The I V B. F. Goodrich Comp-an y, NewYork, N. Y., a

corporation of New York a Application December- 24, 1942, Serial No. 470,109

5Claims. (0143349) This invention relates to plugs and especially to detachable plugs suitable for. mounting in-an aperture and for connecting to a conduit.

Aircraft of the heavier-than-air class operating under winter or otherweather conditions conducive to the formation of icemay be equipped with inflatable protectiv coverings for preventing the accumulation of ice upon their airfoils, such for example, as the wings and the tail empennagmand these protective coverings may be removed during operations under summer weather conditions. However, upon the removal of such coverings, the fluid conduits which are disconnected from the coverings, are disposed whollywithin the airfoils and sealed against the leakage of fluid and the entrance of dirt or other objectionable substances. The aerodynamic efficiency of the wings and other airfoils desirably should be maintained by closing the apertures inthe airfoil surface'covering through which the fluid conduitsextend to the protective covering and preferably closing the apertures in a manner whereby the creation of turbulent air flow is prevented at the region where the protective covering has been removed.

Objects of the inventiongare to provide for mounting a plug in an apertur in a wall in a detachable manner while providing for connecting the plug to a. fluid conduit, to provide for sealing the aperture against the leakage of fluid together with closing the end of the conduit, to provide a plug capable of elastically gripping the margin of the aperture while providing flexibility of attachment to the conduit, and to provide for convenience of manufacture, simplicity of construction, and effectiveness of operation.

Specific objects of the invention are to provide for sealing an aperture in an airfoil while maintaining the aerodynamic emciency of the airfoil, to provide for disposing fluid conduits within the airfoil in a manner facilitating access thereto and withdrawal therefrom through the aperture in the airfoil, and to provide a resilient plug adapted to conform smoothly to the curvature of the surface of the airfoil.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description. In the accompanying drawing,

which forms a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Fig. 1 is a view showing a detachable plugin assembled and disassembled arrangement with an airfoil and constructed in accordance with and embodying the invention, parts being broken away and in section, and I Y I Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the plug. 7. When the inflatable protective covering for preventing the accumulation of ice onian airfoil III or wing skin is removed, fluid conduits and I2, which may be of a reinforced rubber hose construction, are drawn through apertures I3 and I4, and are disconnected from the protective covering, The invention provides a detachable plug I which effectively closes the end of the, hose II or I2 and effectively seals the aperture. I3 or I4 inthewingskinlll.

The detachable plug I5 comprisesa tube of stiff material, such as steel and an annular body I5a which is of-resilient rubber or other rubber lik material, preferably molded, and is adapted; to conform generally to the curvature of the airfoil or wing skin I0. The plug- I5 has a portion, I6 generally rounded in-section and including a sealing-lip I1 for-contacting the margin 13a or, Ila of the aperture I3 Or I 4, a second portion I8, embracing the margin Ilia or I la and including a recess I9 for seating the margin I3a or I ia, and the tube 20, preferably cylindrical, secured at the second portion I8 and, having, preferably, a flanged end 2| molded integral withthe annular body I5a. Thefluid conduit II ,oril2 is connected telescopically to, the steeltube 20,thus joining, effectively, the annular body I5a to the fluid conduit; or rubberhose II or I 2.; The sec-:

' end portion IB elastically, grips the margin I311,

or Ma and permits detachable engagement of the annular body I5a at the margin I3a or Ma to the wing skin I 0. The second portion I 8 is, desirably, substantially frusto-conical in section for contacting the margin |3a or Ma of the aperture I3 or I4 which, as shown in Fig. 1, may be dimpled or counter-sunk. The recess I9 permits seating the margin I3a or I ia therein and a shoulder I Be enables embracing and contacting the margin for assisting in preventing accidental fisengagement of the plug I5 with the wing skin Inasmuch as the steel tube 20' is molded in the annular body I 5a some flexibility of the attachment of the conduit II or I2 is permitted by virtue of the resiliency of the rubber-like material. Vibration of-the conduit doesnot tend to loosen the annular body I5a from engagement with the margin 13a or I 4a of the aperture I3 or I4 because of the resilient connection of the tube and the body.

When the annular body lid is engaged with the margin I3a or Ila of the wing skin I0,- the tionable turbulent flow of air over the airfoil l0,

hence maintaining the aerodynamic efficiency of the latter.

In the operation anduse of the detachable plug I5 after the inflatable protective covering has been removed, the steel tube 20 is inserted in the end of the conduit H or 12 and a suitableadhesive such asrubber cement may be used, if desired, to secure a good bondbetween-the steel tube 20 and the wall-of the conduit 1| or l2. It is desirable that friction tape 22 be wound around the conduit at the region of telescopic engagement between the steel tube and-the conduit II or l2 to protect the wall of'theconj duit, and then safety wire 23 is wound around theconduitat thislregion to further secure the the'recess l9 of the annular body l fia. "The annular :bo'dy lia elastically agrips -th'e margin 1 3a owflla by virtuer'of 'the resiliency of the material. The detachable -plug 1 I5'--may= be'-'r emovedby rais ingthe sealing lip '1 and 'pulling outwardly from the w-ing skin H0." The invention "1 thus facilitates disposal of the nu -."-'condui ts within the airfoil and permi-ts convenient access to the conduits for reconnection to the protective covering whenever required. I a

War-iations may be made without departing fromthe-"scopeeof the'invention as it is defin'ed in the -folloWing claims.

1. A 'detaehablezplugfor'mounting in an aperture in a walland-for connecting to a conduit, saiddetachableplu'g comprising a closed "body having a flexibl'e flange "for contacting the margin -'of =said aperture, an elastic portion opposite said flexible 'flan ge "rcr' elastically gripping the margin of said aperture, and means projecting from said elastic portion for connecting said body to said conduit.

2. A detachable plug for mounting in an aperture in a wall and for connecting "to a conduit, said detachable plug comprising a body presenting a closed face and having a sealing lip for contacting the margin of said aperture, a flexible portion including ..a recess for seating said margin, and means comprising a tubular extension projecting from said body at the side opposite the closed face of the latter for connecting said body to said circuit.

3. A'detachable plug for mounting in an aperture .a wall and for connecting to -a conduit, said detachableplug comprising a body presenting a closed face and having an annular flexible flange 'for contacting the margin of said aperture a efiexible portion for embracing said margin between its outer edge and said flange, and a tubular end portioncomprising *a'metal tube embedded in' said plug and proje'cting from said body at the =s-ide' opposite the closed face of the latter :for conneetingrsaid body to said conduit.

i4. .'A .detachable'plugrfor mounting in an tapertureiinza .curved wall 'of ::thin material sand for connecting-to a; conduit;2saiddetachable 'plug'com, prising a *body of resilient :rubber like :material adapted to conform: to the curvature of 1 saidwall, said body having a 'POItlOll generally rroundedi in section land :including a sealing lip f or rcontacting :the margin :of saidaperture, a .second pore tion adjacent -.the first -:".S8,id portion embracing said margin rand.- having a :recess. forteseating said margin; :and a hollow end portion fO1-:fiOIil1$ 6t-. ing said bodyrtelescopically said conduit.

25- A detachableplug' for mounting. in-Van apep ture in a curved wall of thin material and for connecting to a conduit, said detachable rplug comprising a molded zannular :body 'of resilient rubber-like material adapted to conform ttozthe curvature of said wall and ralcylindrical tube-.of stiff material adapted -to be telescopically lcon nected with the end .of said conduit; said byline drical tube having a fiangedendmoldedlintegral with .said annular. body said annular body com prising alportionlgenerally rounded in section and including a sealing lip forucontacting the vmar-,- gin of said aperture and a .-second .portion lembracing saidmarg'inand including a recesslfor Se n said m r in- C AR ES 'FB 1.188v 

